Dust separator



Aug. 9, 1932.

w. A. BALDWIN DUST SEPARATOR Filed 0st. 9, 1950 Ed un /Am ttornegs Patented Aug. 9, 1932' UNi'i'Efi STATES PATENT OFFICE,

WAYNE A. BALDWIN, E WATEETOWN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE NEW YORK AIR BRAKE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY i nus'r SEPARATOR Application filed October 9, 1930. Serial No. 487,621.

This invention relates to dust separators, and particularly to that type in which the air is given a whirling motion and then di-v rected centrifugally against one or more vanes which serve to trap the heavier particles and most of the dust, allowing the air to flow on free-of this material.

In prior devices of this sort it has been usual to collect the dust in a chamber or re pocket from which it was periodically removed. One purpose of the present invention is to discharge the dust continuously from the device.

Another object or the invention is to cause this discharge to occur at a point or points below the intake for air leading to the separator.

Another, feature of the invention. has to do withthe-creation of an outward current through the dust discharge openings, or at least he neutralization of such inward flow tendency as is occasioned by the fact that these discharge passages necessarily lead from the interior of the dust separator.

Another feature of the invention relates to the use of a rotary fan motor driven by the air current flowing inward. to the separator. This motor performs a doublefunction; it imparts a whirling motion to the air, and it develops a siight amount of surplus energy sufficient to drive a fan which creates an outward flow through the dust discharge passages, or at least neutralizes the tendency toward inward flow.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in

which Figure 1 is a vertical axial section of the complete device, the plane of section being indicated by the line 1-1 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section, the line of section being indicated by the line 22 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section showing the fan bearing.

Fig. i is a section on the line 4-4: of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5, and indicating a slightly modified construction.

The casing is composed of two main parts 11 and 12 which are connected by a plurality of equally spaced machine screws, one of which appears at 13, the machine screws engaging mating flanges formedon the two body sections in a familiar manner. The

member 11 serves as a cap and is provided with a hexagonal boss 14 to receive a wrench. It is mounted on a threaded pipe, such as the suction line of an air compressor, by means of pipe threads 15. It is customarily mounted with its axis vertical as indicated in Fig. 1. Projecting inward from the cap 11 is a flange or skirt 16 concentric with the threaded opening 15 and the flange 16 is connected by three integral lugs or extensions 17 with the upper margin of a flaring conoidal deflector 18 which is likewise coaxial with the threaded opening 15 and coaxialv with the cylindrical or body portion of the member 12. The lower end of themember 12 is closed by an approximately hemispherical bottom '19, and the bottom 19 is formed with an upwardly extending flange-or skirt 21 which is larger than and encircles thelower portion of the body 12 beneath an overhanging skirt or flange 22.

Air entering the compressor flows upward beneath the skirt 22, downward between the skirt 21 and the body 12, and enters the chamber 23. The space between the body 12 and the upwardly extending skirt 21 is indicated in Fig. 2 by the numeral 24:, and it will be observed that the passage does not completely encircle the body 12, but is periodically interrupted to afford dust discharge passages 25.

In the example illustrated, three dust discharge passages are shown dividing the air inlet passage into three sections equal with each other. From examination of Fig. 2 it will be apparent that the effective area offered for dust discharge is rather less than a third of the area ofiered for air inlet.

Extending upward from the center of the bottom 19 is a boss 26. This has a pivot bearing 27 preferably of hardened non-corrosive steel. Opposed to thisis a second pivot bearing 28 formed on the lower end of an ad justable stem 29 which is threaded through the center of the deflector 18. The upper end of the stem 29 is slotted at 31 to receive a screw driver by which adjustment is made, and when adjustment has been made, it is maintained by means of a lock nut 32.

Mounted in the pivot bearings 27 and 28 is a shaft or pivot 33 of a combined fan motor and air deflector whose blades are indicated by the reference numeral 34.

The ends of the blades are connected by an annular shroud 35, the shroud being cylindrical in contour.

Formed on the inside of the cylindrical por- "openings 25 (see'FigI l). The lower margin 25.

"the shroud35 turns vithin and close to the inner extremity of the flange 37. The upper margin is a substantial distance above the lower ends of'the vanes 36.

In the embodiment illustrated, and as clearly shown in Fig. 2,}the' fan'or motor 34 turns counterclockwise. The angular relation of the vanes 36 with 'reference to the direction of rotation "should be noted.

" Mounted on the outer periphery ofthe shroud 35 area series of blades orvane's 38 which overlie the flange 37an d consequently are at the upper end of the'dust discharge opening 25. "In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive these vanes are shown as plane and radially disposed, in which case they'cooperate with passages 25 after the,

manner of'centrifugal blower blades. Their function is, when drivenby inflow through the blades 34, to create an outward flow through the passages 25, or at least, to neuftralize any tendency toward inward flow.

. Toincrease the air propelling action of-the blades 38, it ispracticable togive them a spiral form, as indicated at 38 in Fig.6. In fact, the form of these blades may be variously modified within theknown principles of fan design, to accentuate the dust 'discharging effect towhatever extent may prove necessary.

The small opening'indicated at 39 in Fig.

1 is for the purpose of draining away any moisturewhich might collect in the'chamber 23.

' The inward flow through the inlet passages .24 and shroud 35 very greatly exceeds any outflow which could occur through the passages 25. Hence itbecomes possible to derive from the motor blades 34suflicient excessene'rgy to render the blades 38 effective at all operating speeds. 't is important that the relation of the blades 34 to the blades 38 be such that even at low air flow rates, the blades 38 will function to preclude inflow of air through the passages 25, as otherwise the dust would not be effectively discharged, but might even be drawn back into the air current.

In operation, air enters under skirt 22,

flowsdownward through the passages 24 to ,the chamber 23, and thence upward between the blades 34. The blades 34 are slightlyv inclined, as is clearly indicated in Fig. 2, so

that they rotate at moderate speed and with considerableforce. The reaction of the fan upon the entering air produces a moderate whirling motion and the deflector 1 8 directs the air outwardly against the blades 36 which entrap the-dust particles. Tlieair then flows around the uppermargin of the deflector 18 to the discharge connection 15. "The dust arrested by the blades 36 flows downward along the blades to the discharge 'opening'25 through which it is discharged. The dis-' charge is assisted ina material degree by the action of the blades 38.

It will be'observed that the device is self cleaning; that the moving parts are of the utmost simplicity; and that the entire casing structure is formed oftwol relatively simple castings.

I claim p 1. The combination with a dust separator having an air inlet and a dust discharge opening isolated from said inlet,of motor means arranged to be driven by air flowing into the "separatorthrough theiinlet; and a fan driven by said motor "meanslocated in said casingbeyond said motor means, out of the path of normalair flow and operatingto resist inflow through said dustdischarge op n 2.The combination with adust separator having an air inlet and a dust discharge opening'isolated from said inlet, of motor means arranged to be driven by air fiowing into the separator through the inlet; and a fan drivenby said motor meanslocated in said casing beyond said motor means, out of the path of normal air flow and operating to cause outflow through said dust discharge opening.

3. The combination with a dust separator having an air inlet and having at least one dust discharge opening said inlet and'sa-id discharge opening being isolated from each other, the total effective area for 'dust dis charge being materially less than the effective area'of the inlet, of motor means arranged to be driven by air entering through the inlet; and fan means driven by said motor means, located in said casing beyond said motor means, out of the path of normal air flow and serving toresistinflow through said dust discharge opening.

4. The combination in a dust separator of a body having an air inlet and a dust discharge; a rotary fan motor driven by enter ing air and serving to impart rotary motion to such air; dust arresting vane means in said body in the path of such rotating air and adapted to deliver dust to said discharge; and fan means operated by said fan motor and serving to assist dust discharge.

5. In a dust separator the combination of a body having passages arranged in annular series, alternate and larger passages being for air inlet, the intervening and smaller passagesbeing for dust discharge; a rotary motor having air deflecting propelling vanes, said motor being mounted in said body in the path of inlet air flow; and a series of oppositely acting vanes mounted on said rotary motor and acting to assist outward flow through the discharge passages.

6. In a dust separator the combination of a body having passages arranged in annular series, alternate and larger passages being for air inlet, the intervening and smaller passages being for dust discharge; a rotary motor having air deflecting propelling vanes, said motor being mounted in said body in the path of inlet air flow; a series of oppositely acting vanes mounted on said rotary motor and acting to assist outward flow through the discharge passages; a deflector in said body; and a plurality of fixed vanes against which said deflector directs the air, said vanes serving to arrest dust and deliver it to said discharge passages.

7. A structure as defined in Claim 5 in which the inlet ends of the air inlet passages are above the discharge ends of the dust discharge passages.

8. In a dust separator, the combination of a. casing having an air inlet passage leading to the center of the casing and a peripheral dust discharge; a rotary unit mounted in said casing and including motor blades in the path of inflowing air, ejecting fan blades adjacent the peripheral dust discharge; and an annular partition substantially isolating the two sets of blades from each other.

9. In a dust separator, the combination of a casing having an air inlet passage leading to the center of the casing and a peripheral dust discharge; a rotary unit mounted in said casing and including motor blades in the path of inflowing air, ejecting fan blades adjacent the peripheral dust discharge; an annular partition substantially isolating the two sets of blades from each other; a deflector arranged to direct substantially radially outward inflowing air leaving said motor blades; and means forming a circular series of dust collecting pockets in the path of air leaving said deflector.

10. In a dust separator, the combination of a casing having an air inlet passage leading to the center of the casing and a peripheral dust discharge; a rotary unit mounted in said casing and including motor blades in the path of inflowing air, ejecting fan blades adjacent the peripheral dust dis charge; an annular partition substantially isolating the two sets of blades from each other; a deflector arranged to direct substantially radially outward inflowing air leaving said motor blades; and means forming a circular series of dust collecting pockets in the path of air leaving said deflector, i

ducing an outward tendency through said discharge and an intervening annulus isolating said blades from each other; means for directing outward inflowing air leaving the motor blades; and a series of inward project-ing vanes in said casing, surrounding said directing means and overhanging the ejecting fan blades.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

WAYNE A. BALDWIN. 

